The Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation is developing a smart living initiative next to the Science Park that is the InnoCell project, which will provide local and overseas technology talent with suitable space for living and exchange.

InnoCell tenants will live in fully furnished units that contain a work station, smart furniture, bathroom, kitchenettes, wall storage and custom cabinetry.

They will also be provided with other common facilities such as music and game rooms, a gym and laundry mart, as well as shared working space to facilitate their interaction and collaboration, creating an atmosphere favourable to the development of innovation and technology (I&T).

Attracting talent

The corporation's Chief Project Development Officer Simon Wong said Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem is growing and that there is a great demand for the import of technology talent from overseas and the Mainland.

“The purpose of building the InnoCell is to attract those talents and help the companies at the Science Park to recruit talent from overseas and Mainland China,” Mr Wong added.

There are four types of units in the 17-storey building which aims to provide around 500 residential units. The solo studio, twin studio and co-living studio are about 248 sq ft, while the suite, including accessible unit is about 496 sq ft.

The proposed monthly rent for an InnoCell unit will be set at about 60% of the market rent of unfurnished property of similar quality in the nearby area. The rental level also takes into account the affordability of the applicants.

“For the design of InnoCell, we adopt vibrant and smart features. We adopt a lot of different layouts to attract different kinds of talents,” said Mr Wong.

Advanced technology

The building is the first pilot project in Hong Kong to adopt Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) technology incorporating the concept of “factory assembly followed by on-site installation”.

Mr Wong explained that MiC provides an innovative solution to significantly speed up construction and improves productivity, quality, safety and sustainability.

“MiC is the most up-to-date method promoted by the Government recently.

“The concept of MiC is to allow most of the work to be prefabricated in the factory, then to deliver it to the site and carry out the installation. This method will enhance productivity, quality and safety.

“When compared with the traditional construction method, it will save about five to six months in construction time.”

To further foster the development of the city’s I&T ecosystem, the Government supported the corporation to build the InnoCell. Construction started earlier this year and is slated for completion by the end of 2020.